Also Known as
Til, Gingelly Seeds, tal

What is Sesame Seeds, Til?

Sesame seeds are tiny, flat oval seeds with a nutty taste and a delicate, almost invisible crunch. They come in a host of different colors, depending upon the variety, including white, yellow, black and red.

They are widely used in Asian dishes. They are also the main ingredients in tahini (sesame seed paste) which is used to make a number of Lebanese dips.
A Middle Eastern sweet call halvah is another wonderful delight you can make using til. They are available throughout the year. The sesame seeds are extremely rich in calcium and are useful in calcium deficiency.

Natural sesame seeds are largely served in bakery products such as breads, bread sticks, cookies, candies, pasta, vegetables & curry dishes. The toasted variety of natural sesame seeds are used in chocolate, ice-cream and halva.

Black sesame seeds

The black variety yields the best quality of oil and is also best suited for medicinal purposes. Black sesame seeds contain higher levels of antioxidants than brown. Black sesame has a reputation in both the Ayurveda and Chinese traditions as an anti-aging food. Natural Black Sesame Seeds are mainly used for medicinal purpose & flavorings on various bakery products.

The Japanese name for black sesame seed is Kura Goma. It carries medicinal properties and it is therefore advisable to take them raw or roasted or its oil to cure some of human diseases. They are added in several plates, salads and dressings. These natural black sesame seeds are rich in calcium, protein, and B-Vitamins.

These natural black sesame seeds have a nutty taste and are sprinkled on several varieties of vegetables, noodles and even in rice. And also can be used in pie crusts as well as a substitute for nuts. Furthermore it can be garnished on various starters or as crispy coating on various food items.

Roasted and powdered sesame seeds

To roast and powder sesame seeds, first dry roast the clean sesame seeds in a hot pan till they turn crisp. Cool slightly and blend in a mixer into a smooth powder. Store in an air-tight container and use as required. This powder can also be added to gravies to make them creamy and thick.

Roasted sesame seeds

To roast sesame seeds, heat a non-stick pan and dry roast the sesame seeds till a nice aroma comes out from the seeds or till they turn very light golden brown in colour and crisp and crunchy. Cool and store in an air-tight container. Use as required. Roasted sesame seeds are used to add nice crunch to variety of dishes like puran polis, namkeen puris and also in some Indian desserts.

Black sesame seed powder - To roast and powder black sesame seeds, first dry roast the clean black sesame seeds in a hot pan till they turn crisp. Cool slightly and blend in a mixer into a smooth powder. The black powder looks a bit more exotic and is also more fragrant and more intense tasting than white ones. You could use white sesame seeds for a milder flavor. Black sesame powder is mixed with gingelly oil to make a tasty accompaniment to rice preparations.

How to Select Sesame Seeds, Til
Sesame seeds are generally available in pre-packaged containers as well as bulk bins. Just as with any other food that you can purchase in the bulk section, make sure that the bins containing the sesame seeds are covered and that the store has a good product turnover to ensure maximal freshness.

Whether purchasing sesame seeds in bulk or in a packaged container, make sure there is no evidence of moisture. Additionally, since they have high oil content and can become rancid, smell those in bulk bins to ensure that they smell fresh. Also, the seeds should be free from dust, stones or ant debris. If buying readymade powdered sesame seeds then the packet should be without any lumpiness. Check the expiry date before buying prepackaged sesame powder.

13 Uses of Sesame Seeds, Til

Sesame seeds are tiny, oval shaped seeds that are a little nutty in taste and give a slight crunch when you eat them. They are available in different colors – white, black or even yellow – even though the taste difference is negligible. Sesame seeds can be had roasted, added raw to recipes or turned into a paste. They are used in Asian cuisines along with Indian and Middle Eastern.

1. Sesame seeds is used extensively in Indian, Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines.

2. Sesame oil is extracted from sesame seeds which is sometimes used in cooking or even as a condiment in some parts of the world.

3. In India, sesame seeds are used to make a variety of dishes whether sweet or savory, as a main ingredient or as a garnish.

For complete uses of sesame Seeds, Til read this article.

How to Store Sesame Seeds, Til
Unhulled sesame seeds can be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry, dark place. Once the seeds are hulled, they are more prone to rancidity, so they should then be stored in the refrigerator or freezer.

Unrefrigerated seeds should be kept in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to three months, refrigerated up to six months or frozen up to one year

Health Benefits of Sesame Seeds, Til
1. Sesame – a good source of protein : These tiny white seeds are indeed a good source of protein. ½ cup provides around 11 g of protein to build bones, enhance muscle mass and promote cell health. It has specific amino acids including lysine and tryptophan. These high protein seeds are widely used in a weight loss diet to boost metabolism too.

2. Sesame – a calcium booster : Half of daily requirement of calcium is fulfilled by consuming ½ cup of sesame seeds. That’s truly amazing! Isn’t it? This aids in promoting skeletal health, which is the backbone of our body. This mineral is therefore known to age related osteoporosis. Another remarkable benefit of calcium is maintenance of teeth and oral hygiene. Chewing on calcium rich seeds assists in strengthening teeth, while use of sesame oil is known to keep your mouth germ-free and reduce bad breath.

3. Sesame – a dose of iron ad folic acid : Sesame seeds are a storehouse of iron. Ask a nutritionist what to eat to increase RBC count and hemoglobin levels? And they would recommend sesame seeds and garden cress seeds for sure. These tiny seeds help to prevent iron deficiency anaemia and boost your energy. Folic acid is another nutrients necessary for the formation of RBC and prevent megaloblastic anemia. Regular consumption of sesame seeds is sure to ward off your worry about poor concentration and fatigue associated with anaemia.

Click here to know more about the health benefits of Sesame Seeds, Til.

Nutritive Information for Sesame Seeds, Til:
½ Cup of sesame seeds is about 60 grams
RDA stands for Recommended Daily Allowance.

Energy - 338 calories
Protein – 11 g
Carbohydrate – 15 g
Fat – 26 g
Fiber – 10 g

Vitamins:
0.6 mg of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) = 37.5% of RDA ( (about 1.2 to 1.6 mg for men)
0.2 mg of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) = 10.5% of RDA (about 1.4 to 1.9 mg for men)
2.6 mg of Vitamin B3 = 21.6% of RDA (about 12 mg)
80.4 mcg of Folate (Vitamin B9) = 80.4% of RDA (about 100 mcg)

Minerals:
585 mg of Calcium = 58.5% of RDA (about 1000 mg)
5.6 mg of Iron = 28% of RDA (about 20 mg)
210.6 mg of Magnesium = 60.1% of RDA (about 350 mg)
342 mg of Phosphorus = 57% of RDA (about 600 mg)
7.3 mg of Zinc = 60.8% of RDA (about 10 to 12 mg)
280.8 mg of Potassium = 4.4% of RDA (about 4700 g)

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What is Sesame Seeds, Til?

13 Uses of Sesame Seeds, Til

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